Royals Deal DeJesus To A’s For Two Young Arms

The Royals flirted with the idea of moving outfielder David DeJesus at the trade deadline, but a thumb injury sustained on July 22 knocked him out for the season and tabled those trade plans. Kansas City picked up his option for 2011 and set about trying to find a trade partner.

The Athletics won bidding for DeJesus’ services by offering up a pair of young pitchers, righthander Vin Mazzaro and lefty Justin Marks, both of whom turned pro as Oakland third-round draft picks. Mazzaro achieved mixed results in 41 appearances for the A’s in 2009 and ’10, while Marks spent the season pitching to solid ratios but poor results at two Class A levels.

Mazzaro tightened his control and his slider and won Double-A Texas League pitcher of the year honors in 2008. He went 12-3, 1.90 in 22 starts for Midland that year, and the following June he made his big league debut for Oakland. In parts of two seasons with the big league club Mazzaro proved to be a capable back-of-the-rotation option, compiling 5.8 strikeouts and 3.7 walks per nine innings to go with his 4.72 ERA. He sits in the low 90s with sink and touches 94 mph, and when his mid-80s slider is on he’s got two solid weapons. Mazzaro’s curveball and changeup are below-average and continue to lag behind his fastball and slider.

Marks is a better prospect than his 4.87 ERA this season indicates. He throws four pitches, keeps the ball on the ground and has enough control to profile as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Failing that, he could fit as a reliever with his average fastball and average to a tick above slider. Marks sits in the high 80s and tops out around 90 mph with some sink. His slurvy slider is his go-to breaking ball, but he also throws a slower mid-70s curve that he’ll need to tighten to use regularly. His changeup has its moments but is fringy in the high 70s.